Board-filling machine.



A. J. BATES.

BOARD FILLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 20v 1914 1,1 18,098. Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

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A. J. BATES.

BOARD FILLING MACHINE APPLICATION FILED APR.20, 1914.

1,118,098. Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

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BOARD FILLING MACHINE APPLICATION FILED Ammo, 1914.

1,1 18,098. Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

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BOARD FILLING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED 11.20, 1914.

Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

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BOARD FILLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.20,1914.

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APPLICATION FILED APR. 20, 1914.

Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

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A. J. BATES.

BOARD FILLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 20, 1914 Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

A. J. BATES.

BOARD FILLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.20.1914.

Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

9 $HEETS--SHEET 8.

A. J. BATES.

BOARD FILLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.20,1914.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT J. BATES, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 CHARLES A. BREWER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BOARD-FILLING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

Application filed April 20, 1914. Serial No. 833,292.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT J. BATES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Board-Filling Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a machine for curling or rolling up strips of paper orthe like and depositing them in sockets or apertures provided at predetermined distances apart in a board or similar article.

The boards which my present invention is adapted to load or fill are of the general character of those used in vending devices such as that forming the subject-matter of Letters Patent No.'780,086 to Brewer and Scannell, dated Jan. 17, 1905. The boards, which come in various sizes, are provided with a series of rows of apertures, the boards being commonly known as -hole boards, 100-hole boards, 500-hole boards, etc, depending on their size and the number of holes. In each of the holes of the co1npleted board there is located a strip of paper or the like bearing a number or order, and a sheet of paper is pasted over each face of the board to retain the strips in the apg 'ertures and prexgnt their removal except by breaking the paper sheet. The sheet which is pasted over the upper face of the board is customarily provided with dots or spots spaced to correspond with the board apertures and which lie directly over the apertures and indicate the position of the apertures. When the board is in use the customer presses a fiat-headed punch through the face sheet of the board into an aperture lying underneath the dot which he has selected on the board and forces the paper strip in the aperture out through the back of the board. In some instances it may not be necessary to have a backing sheet on the board for the reason that the tendency of the curled strips in the apertures to unwind will usually hold the strips from falling out. The number or order on the strip which has been punched out designates the article or articles which the customer is to receive.

Prior to my present invention the paper strips have been curled or wound into cylindrical form by hand and manually placed in the apertures of the board. The curling of the strips and positioning them in the board is a very slow and tedious operation and the most rapid and skilled operators are unable to fill more than ten or twelve apertures per minute. It will be obvious therefore that it will take about one and one-half hours for an operator to fill a thousand-hole board.

My present invention is designed to automatically fill these boards, and repeated tests have proven that a thousand-hole board can be filled with my machine in about two minutes. The numbers or orders which appear on the strips deposited in the board apertures are printed on sheets of paper or the like, and the primary object of my invention is to provide a machine which will entirely automatically divide the sheets of paper with the numbers or orders thereon, into strips, each bearing a single number or order, curl these strips into cylindrical form, and deposit the curled strips in the apertures of a board.

I believe that a machine for accomplishing this result entirely automatically is broadly new, and the various objects for which different parts of the machine were designed and the advantages of their con-v struction and the manner in which they cooperate will be readily apparent as the invention becomes better understood by reference to the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the draWingsFigure 1 is a plan view of a machine embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof looking toward the right in Fig. 1; Fig. 3

is a side elevation of the machine, looking tional view taken on the line 77 of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary detail, showing certain portions disclosed in Fig. 7 Fig. 9 is a plan view of the board-sup porting mechanism; Fig. 10 is a similar view showing the board positioned with the first row of apertures in alinement with the spindles. Fig. 11 is a fragmentary plan view of the friction device for preventing retrograde movement of the board support; Fig. 12 is a fragmentary plan section "showing the feeding and turning devices; Fig. 13 is a similar view showing the feeding and turning devices in another position; Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional View on the line l4-14 of Fig. 12; Fig. 15 is a similar view on the line 1515 of Fig. 13; Fig. 16 is a view on the line 1616 of Fig. 13; Fig. 17 is a central longitudinal sectional View through the machine, the board supporting mechanism being shown in the position which it will assume before the initialoperation of the machine; Fig. 18 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 17, certain parts, however, being shown in a different position from that shown in Fig. 17; Fig. 19 is an enlarged plan view of one of the turners, showing the position of the spindle and paper strip at the beginning of the curling operation; Fig. 20 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 19, showing the curling operation as completed; Fig. 21 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view showing the position of the spindles during the curling operation; Fig. 22 is a similar view showin the spindles as depositing the curled'strlps in the board; Fig. 23 is a similar View showing the spindles retracted to inoperative position, and Fig. 24 is a fragmentary view showing the curled strip in position in the board.

Referring to the drawings, reference character 25 designates generally the standard or frame of the machine upon which the various operating mechanisms are mounted. At the rear end of the machine, viewing Figs. 1, 2, 17 and 18, there is positioned a magazine or container 26 adapted to contain a supply of sheets of paper or the like 27 upon which the numbers, which ultimately appear on the strips in the board, have been previously printed in predetermined spaced relation. The forward portion of the magazine is shaped to provide an upwardly inclined Wall 28, which assists in separating the topmost sheet of the stack from the remaining sheets, and a downwardly inclined guide or apron 29 over which the sheets are discharged from the magazine.

The sheets are fed in succession from the magazine by mechanism which will now be described. Upon the rear end of the main frame I have mounted in suitable brackets 31 a rock shaft 32 provided at one end with an upwardly extending arm 33 carrying a roller or follower 34 adapted to cooperate with a cam groove 35 (Figs. 1 and 3) formed in a cam member mounted on the main shaft 36, this shaft being driven either by power from a suitable source or by hand from a drive wheel 37 fixed thereon. In the present instance the wheel is equipped with a handle 38, by means of which the machine may be manually operated. The

shaft 36 is journaled in bracket arms 39 and 41 secured to the main frame of the ma chine and carries other cam members for operating other parts of the machine, which will be later described. An upwardly extending arm 42 fixed on the shaft 32 carries at its upper end a transversely disposed pintle or rod 43 upon which a pair of feeding fingers 44 are pivotally mounted, the

rear ends of the fingers being connected by a bar 45. Coiled springs 46 normally urge the extremities of the fingers 44 downwardly toward the magazine and the extremity of each finger is provided with a friction tip 47 of rubber or other suitable material adapted to frictionally engage the paper sheets and impart feeding movement thereto. A spring latch or dog 48 mounted on the arm 42 is adapted to engage with the bar 45 and hold the feeding ends of the rearward position engaging the topmost sheet in the magazine. As they are moved rearwardly to this position they draw the topmost sheet 'backwarclly against the rear wall of the magazine, thereby initially positioning the sheet parallel with the machine before the feeding operation begins. Forward movement of the fingers will carry the topmost sheet forwardly out of the magazine, the inclined wall 28 serving to assist in the separation of the topmost sheet from the remainder. The sheet is fed over the apron 29 and deposited upon the upturned portions 49 of the feeding fingers 51, as shown in Fig. 17. A number of these feeding fingers 51 are comprised in a set, these fingers being clamped onto a movable bar 52 at their rear ends. The fingers 51 have their upper portions 49 flattened to provide rests (Fig. 13) to support the ends of the feeding fingers 44 when they are in forward position. When the fingers are moved rearwardly to feed another sheet from the magazine the sheet already deposited upon the fingers 51 is prevented from return movement by engagement with a vertical wall 54 positioned beneath the extremity of the apron 29. It will be obvious that each oscillation of the shaft 32 will cause the top- "most sheet of paper to be removed from the magazine and deposited upon the portions 49 of the fingers 51.

The bar 52 carries a second set of feeder fingers 55 (Figs. 17 argkl 18) of greater length than the fingers 1 and a third set 56'of still greater length than the set 55, the paper sheets being fed forwardly through the machine by means of these various sets of fingers when the fingers are reciprocated longitudinally. The bar 52 is moved transversely longitudinally of the machine by means of a pair of links 57 connected at their forward ends to opposite ends of the bar and at their rear ends to the upper extremity of arms 58 carried on the shaft '32, so that at each oscillation of the shaft a longitudinal reciprocatory movement is imparted to all of the sets of fingers.

The various sets of fingers travel in suitable guideways formed in the bed 59 of the machine, this bed being preferably sectional, as shown in Figs. 17 and 18. It will be obvious that rearward movement of the bar 52 will withdraw the fingers 51 from beneath the sheet supported on the upper portion 49 of the fingers so that this sheet will assume the position shown in Fig. 18, the sheet being indicated in this position, for convenience, by reference character 27 Upon the next operation of the machine the sheet will be pushed forwardly by the set of fingers 51 which will engage with the rear edge of the sheet and move the same to the position indicated by reference character 27", as shown in Fig. 17. Upon rearward movement of the bar 52 the set of fingers 55 will travel rearwardly underneath the sheet, which will be prevented from traveling back with the fingers by a grate bar 61 pivoted at 62 and adapted to clamp the sheet between the bar and the bed of the machine. Upon the next forward movement of the fingers the sheet will be moved forwardly by the fingers 55 into position beneath the cutter, which will be later described.

In order to insure engagement of the vari ous sets of fingers with the paper sheet the bar 52, upon which all of thefingers are carried, is pivotally connected with the links 57 so as to be capable of oscillation about the pivoted connection. A spring 62 (Figs. 17 and 18) fixed on the frame beneath the magazine has its rear end bent downwardly to engage with the upper edge of bar 52 when the bar is in its rearward position. As shown in Fig. 18 the bar has just started frrwardly. thereby engaging with the spring 62 which causes the bar to tilt on its pivot and elevate the ends of the fingers from the position shown in Fig. 17 to that shown in Fig. 18. The fingers will therefore be brou ht into alinement with the rear ed es of the sheets to feed the sheets forwardly upon the next forward movement of the finger-supporting bar.

The fingers 55 feed the sheets from position 27 into cotiperative relation with a cutter by means of which the sheet is sevcred into a series of strips corresponding in number to the number of holes in a row in the board to be filled.

Viewing Figs. 14, 15, 17 and 18, it will be observed that the cutter comprises a stationary member 63 fixed 011 the frame of the machine and provided with upwardly extending cutting elements 61 and an upper movable member 65 equipped with down wardly projecting cutting elements 66 corresponding with the elements 64 and adapted, upon depression of the member 65, to sever the sheet into a series of strips, as indicated in Fig. 15. The cutter is carried by arms 65' pivoted to the frame at 65" and is moved u and down at predetermined intervals through a rock shaft 67 provided at each end with a crank pin or eccentric 68 which is connected by links 69 (Fig. 3) with each end of the cutter member 65. It will be obvious that as the shaft 67 is oscillated the cutter will be moved up and down. Oscillation is imparted to the shaft by means of a forked lever 71 fixed on the shaft 67 and embracing a cross head 72, which is reciprocated vertically by mechanism which will be later described. A bar or plate 73 (Figs. 17 and 18) rests loosely upon the movable cutter member 65 and is eouipped with a number of guiding and stripper members 74 disposed between the various cutter elements. as shown in Figs. 14 and l5,the members 74 serving to guide the sheet into position between the coiiperating cutter members and to hold the strips 75. into which the sheet is divided against movement upwardly with the cutter member 65. The stripper wires '74 are clamped on tlze plate 73 by a clamp plate 73. For the purpose of elevating the rear edge of the member 73 I have equipped it with rearwardly extending arms 76 adapted to be engaged by camshaped members 77 carried by the bar 52. When the bar and feeding fingers carried thereby move forwardly to feed a sheet of paper into position between the cutters. the cam 77, through the arm 76, will rock the member 73 slightly, elevating its rear edge and the strippers 74 carried thereby, so that the guiding and stripper members 74 will not interfere with the feeding movements of the paper.

From the cutter the strips 75 are fed forwardly by the fingers 56 into holding members 78 which I shall call turners, these members corresponding in number to the number of strips into which the sheet is divided by the cutter and being positioned in longitudinal alinement with the strips to receive the same as they are fed from the cutter. Viewings Figs. 12, 13 and 19 it will be observed that each turner is tubular in form and has a longitudinally disposed slot 79, the outer ends of which are of curved formation to facilitate the entrance of paper strips into the slots, the center of each slot being enlarged to provide a circular transverse opening 81 to receive a spindle, as will be later described. The turners are journaled in parallelism in the bed of the machine and each is provided with a pinion 82 with which a rack bar 83 is adapted to engage. The turners are normally held by the rack bar with the slots 79 in inclined position, as shown in Figs. 13 and 16, so that the strips 7 5 can be pushed by the fingers 56 longitudinally into the slots. The turners are then simultaneously oscillated by means of the rack bar 83 into the position shown in Fig. 12 wherein the strips disposed in the turners are positioned vertically on edge. The rack bar 83 is reciprocated at the required intervals to oscillate the turners by means of a bell-crank lever 84 (Fig. 4) pivoted at 85 on a bracket of the main frame and having one of its arms connected by a link 86 with the rack bar and its other arm equipped with a roller 87 engaged in a cam-groove 88 formed on the face of a cam-member 89 fixed on the shaft 36.

The strips 75 are guided from the cutter into the turners by a guide 91 (Fig. 17) disposed between the cutters and the turners. \Vhile this guide may be of any suitable construction I have shown it in the present instance as provided with a series of teeth 92 which overlie the paper strips 75 and insure their entrance into the ends of the tubular turners. For the purpose of alining the upper edges of the strips in the turners when turned to vertical position I have loosely disposed in the frame of the machine above the turners a pair of rods 93 and 94 which rest loosely upon the tops of the turners. and as the turners are oscillated from the inclined position shown in Fig. 16 to the vertical position shown in Fig. 12 the rods will engage the proiecting edges of the strips and cause the upper edges of all the strips to be disposed in a common horizontal plane. The paper strips which are now disposed on edge in the turners are next operated upon by a series of spindles 95 mounted in a suitable spindle-head, designated generally by 96, carried by vertical bolts 97 guided in the main frame of the machine and reciprocated vertically from the cross-head 72. Each spindle is provided with a pinion 99 meshing with a rack bar 101, by means of which the spindles are revolved in both directions. The rack. bar 101 is actuated from the cam 89 by means of a lever 102 pivoted on the bracket 41 at 103 and provided with a roller which travels in the cam slot 104 formed on the face of the cam-member opposite to the face in which is formed the cam-groove 88. A link 105 is attached at one end to the upper end of arm 102 and at its other end to the remote end of the rack bar 101. The length of the link 105 and its pivotal connections at each end permits a right line movement to be imparted to the rack bar 101 from the arm 102 irrespective of the vertical position and travel of the spindle head, which, as has been previously stated, is moved up and down by the cross-head 72. The lower ends of the spindles 95 are reduced in size as shown in Figs. 21 and 23, the reduced portion being longitudinally slotted. When the spindles are in the elevated position shown in Fig. 23 the slots therein are alined with the strips disposed on edge in the turners 78.

The cross-head 72, which carries the spindle-head 96, is reciprocated vertically by a lever 106 (Fig. 5) pivoted at 50 on .the main frame of the machine and having a pivotal and slotted connection 53 with the center of the cross-head, the opposite end of the lever being provided with a roller adapted to travel in a cam-slot 109 formed in the face of the cam-member 111 fixed on the shaft 36. Assuming that a paper strip is disposed on edge in each of the turners and that the spindles are in elevated position with their slots alined with the strips the cam-slot 109 is shaped to first give an initial downward movement to the spindle-head so as to cause the slotted spindles to straddle the paper strips, the parts being then in the position shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 17. The spindles are now rotated from the rack bar 101 to curl the paper strips upon themselves into cylindrical form. This curling operation will be apparent from Figs. 19 to 21 inclusive. In Fig. 19 the spindle is shown as just starting its rotation in a counterclockwise direction. In Fig. 20 the curling operation is shown as completed, and substantially the same position of parts is shown in Fig. 21. After the spindles have been rotated to curl the paper strips into cylindrical form further downward movement of the spindle-head and the spindles carried thereby is caused by the cam-head 109 so that the spindles are projected through the turners, through the bed of the machine, and into the alined apertures 107 formed in the board 108 positioned beneath the bed. The cam-slot 104 now causes a slight reverse travel of the rack bar 101 which imparts a partial rotation to the spindles in the opposite direction, as illustrated in F ig. 22. This movement causes a. partial uncurling of the strips in the apertures so that they will be frictionally reamp tained in the apertures by engagement with the aperture walls and at the same time they will be released from the spindles, permitting the spindles to be readily retracted, leaving the curled strips in the board. At each operation of the machine one complete row of apertures is filled by the corresponding spindles. From the mechanism thus far described it will be manifest that at each cycle of the machine a sheet is delivered from the magazine, cut into strips, which are then curled into cylindrical form and subsequently deposited in corresponding apertures in the board to be filled.

Since the spindles are reciprocated to deposit the curled strips in the board it will be manifest that the apertures 107 in the board mustbe exactly alined with the spindles at each operation of the machine and that the board must be fed forward one row of apertures between successive operations of the spindle.

The mechanism for holding and feeding the board will now be described. Referring more particularly to Figs. 4 to 10 inclusive. it will be observed that the main frame of the machine is provided with a pair of guideways 112 upon which a board-supporting frame 113 is adapted to travel longitudinally of the machine. The guideways 112, as will be evident from Figs. 1 and 9, project bevond the main frame of the machine at the forward end thereof so that the board may be positioned upon and removed from the frame when the frame is in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 9. The frame 113 is pro ided with a forwardly extending arch handle 114 by means of which the frame may be pushed rearwardly into operative position or adiusted manually when required. Centrally of the frame 113 I have mounted a screw-shaft 116, best shown in Fig. 17, equipped at its forward end with a hand-wheel 117. A pair of nuts 118, threaded onto the shaft to travel longitudinally thereof, are each connected with the inner end of a pair of links 119. The outer end of each link is connected with an anglemember 121, these latter having pins 119 that engage guide slots 113 in the cross bars of the frame 113; which angle-members together cooperate to clamp the board to be filled between them securely to the frame. It will be manifest that the nuts and pairs of links form a toggle mechanism which will move the members 121 simultaneously equal distances toward or from each other upon rotation of the screw-shaft 116; This construction insures that the board, when clamped in position on the frame, will be disposed centrally thereon so that the apertures 107 will be alined laterally with the spindles.

o insure alinement of the apertures with the spindles longitudinally of the machine I have provided a device in the form of a bar 122 pivoted to the main frame of the machine at 123 and upon the arched handle 114 I have provided an upwardly extending boss 124 which, when the frame 113 is in its extreme forward position, will permit the bar 122 to be lowered in front of the boss. The bar 122and the boss 124 serve, therefore, as a gage to insure the proper longitudinal position of the frame 113 with respect to the machine before the board is clamped thereon.

To insure proper longitudinal position of the board on the frame 113 I have equipped the bar 122 with a pin 125 adapted to just fit within an aperture 107. The pin is normally held in elevated position by an expansion spring (not shown) and the top of the pin is preferably equipped with a knob 126 by means of which the pin may be depressed to project its lower end into an alined aperture. After the bar 122 has been lowered to insure the proper position of the frame 113 the board 108 is adjusted longitudinally on the frame to bring the first row of apertures into alinement with the pin 125. The pin is thereupon depressed into the underlying aperture to prevent accidental movement of the board while the hand wheel 117 is being manipulated to firmly clamp the board in its adjusted position. It will be evident that I have provided mechanism which insures the proper positioning of the board both longitudinally and laterally so that when the machine is operated the apertures 107 will always be disposed in alinement with the spindles, thereby precluding injury to the machine.

A ratchet bar 127 is mounted on the bottom of the board-supporting frame 113 and a pawl 128, pivoted at 129, to an arm 131 projecting upwardly from the rock shaft 32, is normally held in engagement with said ratchet bar by a spring 132 coiled upon the shaft 32 and normally urging the pawl upwardly into engagement with the ratchet bar. \Vhen the board frame is in its extreme forward position, in which position the filled board is removed and an em ty board is adjusted and clamped in position, it is necessary to release the pawl 128 before the frame can be moved rearwardlv into the position shown in Fig. 17. lVith this rock shaft 138 mounted in the main frame. Nuts 139 threaded onto the rod beneath the toe establish a connection between the rod and the toe, which, upon depression of the treadle, pulls the arm 133 downwardly to release the pawl 128. The parts are normally held in the position shown on the drawings by an expansion spring 141 abutting at one end against a collar 142- fixed on the rod and at its other end against a bracket 143 mounted on the main frame of the machine.

The teeth on the ratchet bar 127 are spaced equi-distantly with the apertures 107 in the board to be filled so that as the board-supporting frame is fed forward one tooth at each actuation of the ratchet pawl 128 the next successive row of apertures in the board is alined with the spindles. For the purpose of preventing retrograde movement of the board frame during the idle or return stroke of the ratchet pawl 128 I have provided friction-holding means adapted to frictionally clamp the ratchet bar 127 and hold the same between successive feeding movements. Referring to Figs. 6, 11 and 17, it will be observed that upon an angle bar 144 of the main frame I have pivotally mounted upon pivot pins 145 and 146, respectively, a pair of jaws 147 and 148, respectively. These jaws are normally urged into frictional engagement with the sides of the ratchet bar 127 by a coiled contraction spring 149 connected at each end to a pin projecting downwardly from the respective jaws. The spring 149 is sufiiciently strong to clamp the ratchet bar against return movement when released by the ratchet pawl 128 but does not prevent the feeding movement of the bar under the positive feeding action of the ratchet pawl 128 actuated from the rock shaft 32. \Vhen resetting the board frame, that is, moving out from the front to the rear of the machine prior to the initial filling operation, it is desirable to release the clamping jaws 147 and 148, and with this end in view I have mounted in suitable bearings projecting from the cross-member 144 a rock shaft 151 extending beneath the clamping jaws and provided with a pair of upwardly projecting pins 152. These pins, as shown in Fig. 11, are adapted, when the rock shaft is swung to the left, to engage the inclined inner edges of the clamping jaws and spread the jaws apart to release the ratchet bar. The rock shaft 151 is actuated from the treadle 137 through a link or rod 153, as will be obvious from Figs. 2 and 3. Downward movement of the treadle therefore. not only releases the ratchet pawl 128 but also the clamping jaws 147 and 148 from the ratchet bar.

After the board has been properly set and positioned on the supporting frame, as has been previously explained, the frame is moved rearwardly to the rear end of the guideway 112. This extreme position of the board-supporting frame will aline the first row of apertures with the spindles, as shown in Fig. 17. If, however, the frame should rebound or should not be moved to its extreme position the apertures will not aline with the spindles and if the machine were started disastrous consequences might result. To obviate such a possibility I have mounted upon the rear end of the frame a rearwardly extending bar or finger 154 (Figs. 9 and 10) equipped at its extremity with a laterally projecting lug or hook 155. The power wheel 37 is provided with a peripheral groove 156, having its inner wall broken away at two places, one of which is indicated by reference character 157 in Figs. 1 and 10. When the machine is stopped for reloading purposes the broken away portion or recess 157 is stopped in alinement with the finger 154, this position of the power wheel leaving the spindles in elevated position and the other parts of the mechanism substantially in the position shown in Fig. 17. When the filled board has been removed and an empty board adjusted in position on the frame the frame is moved rearwardly to its extreme position, which will bring the lug 155 into the recess 157 in alinement with the groove 156. In this position the first row of apertures will be alined with the spindles. lVhen the power wheel is rotated to start the operation of the machine the lug 155 will travel in the groove 156 until it reaches the other broken away portion or recess, which is not shown on the drawings, at which time the first row of apertures will be filled and the ratchet arm 128 will be about to feed the board forward at one step. This feeding operation will then take place and the lug 155 will be withdrawn through the recess in the side of the groove 156 to disengage the lug from the power wheel. In the event that the board should not be moved rearwardly during the setting operation to aline the lug 155 with the groove 156 this lug would be disposed in the path of travel of the end walls of recess 157 and rotation of the power wheel would be prevented until the board frame had been properly positioned. It will be understood therefore that the finger 154 acts as a safety device to insure the proper initial positioning of the board before the machine can be operated and also serves to hold the board in its rearmost position during the first operation of the spindles, after which the finger is withdrawn from operative relation to the power wheel.

It is highly desirable that the operator should be notified when the last row of holes has been filled in order that the machine may be immediately stopped. I have therefore provided a detector in the form of a bar 158 ca ried by a block 159 mounted on the shaft 161. This bar is adapted to rest upon the board during the filling operation,

in the position shown in Fig. 17, and is of such length that when the last row of apertures has been filled the board will travel out from under the end of the bar, permitting the same to swing downwardly by gravity about its pivotal point. A downwardly extending arm 162 has its lower extremity 1nturned and projected through an elongated slot 163 in a link 164 connected at its lower end to an arm 165 adapted to operate a gone 66. A shoulder 167, formed on the inturned portion of the bar 162, engages with the inner face of the link 164 and a spring 168, carried by the link 164, holds the shoulder 167 in engagement with the link. This construction affords a pivotal and slidins! connection between the link 164 and the bar 162. The link 164 is provided on its outer face with a shoulder 169 adapted to be engaged by an arm 171 fixedon the oscillatory shaft 32 whereby the link is ele vated to actuate the gong. \Vhile the board is being filled the detector bar, the arm 162 and the link 164 will be maintained in the position shown in Fig. 17, and the arm 171 will oscillate idly past the shoulder 169. When. however, the rear edge of the board 108 travels out from beneath the detector arm 158 this arm will swing downwardly, thereby swinging the arm 162 rearwardly, which movement carries the upper end of link 164 rearwardly to position the shoulder 169 in the path of the arm 171. The link will be lifted by the arm 171 to operate the gong thereby notifying the operator that the last row of apertures has been filled and that the machine should be stopped with the recess 157 on the power wheel substantially in alinement with the finger 154. In order to elevate the detector bar so that a new board can he slid back into initial operative position, as shown in Fig. 17, I have provided the arm 133 with a laterally projecting pin 172, which, when the treadle is depressed and the arm 133 swung downwardly thereby, will engage behind the bar 162 and swing the same forwardly, thereby swinging the detector arm above the path of movement to a position above the path of movement of the board.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that I have provided a machine-which will entirely automatically divide a series of printed sheets into a plurality of strips, curl these strips into cylindrical form and deposit them in the apertures of a board which is automatically fed forward to place the successive rows of apertures in position to receive the strips. Provision is made for insuring the accurate positioning of a board in the machine and also for automatically notifying the operator when the board has been filled.

It is believed that my invention and its mode of operation will be sufficiently understood from the foregoing without further description, and while I have shown and described those mechanical constructions which at present appear to be preferable, nevertheless, it will be obvious that wide deviations from the mechanical details disclosed may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of theinvention or sacrificing any of its material advantages.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the character described, the combination of means for holding an apertured board, a plurality of slotted paper-curling devices, means for positioning strips of paper opposite the ends of said curling devices, means for moving said curling devices endwise over said strips, means for rotating said curling devices to curl said strips, and means for depositing said curled strips in the receiving apertures of said board.

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a magazine adapted to contain a supply of paper sheets or the like, means for feeding said sheets consecutively from said magazine, a series of opposed cutters between which the sheets are fed, means for operating said cutters to divide the sheet into a-plurality of strips, a series of slotted spindles, means for positioning said strips on edge opposite the ends of said spindles, means for moving said spindles longitudinally over said strips, and means for rotating said spindles to curl the strips into cylindrical form.

3. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a magazine adapted to contain a supply of paper sheets, means for feeding the topmost sheets of the supply from the magazine in succession. means for dividing a sheet transversely into a series of strips, a series of turners, each adapted to receive one of said strips, means for delivering the strips to said turners, means for actuating said turners to position the strips on edge, a series of slotted spindles positioned above said turners, mechanism for lowering said spindles over said strips, and means for rotating the spindles to curl the strips into cylindrical form.

4. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a turner provided with a longitudinal slot and a transverse aperture, means for positioning a strip of paper or the like in said slot, and means for curling said strip into tubular form and discharging the same from the turner through said aperture.

5. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a plurality of tubular turners mounted in parallelism and adapted to oscillate about longitudinal axes, and adapted to receive strips of paper or the like, means for oscillating said turners, and means for curling said strips into cylindrical form within the turners and discharging the same therefrom.

6. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a turner provided With a longitudinally disposed slot having an enlargement intermediate its ends. a slotted spindle adapted to be projected into said enlargement, and means for rotating said spindle While in said enlargement.

7. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a turner slotted longitudinally to receive a strip of paper or the like and provided intermediate its ends with a transverse opening, a slotted spindle adapted to be projected into said opening into cooperative relation with a strip disposed in said turner, means for rotating said spindle to curl said strip upon itself,

and means for moving said spindle longitudinally to discharge thestrip from said turner.

8. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a longitudinally slotted turner provided with a transverse opening, a spindle adapted to be projected through said opening, means for moving said spindle longitudinally, and means for imparting a rotary movement to said spindle in one direction and subsequently in the opposite direction.

9. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a series of tubular turners, each provided with a longitudinally disposed slotted and a transversely disposed opening, means for simultaneously oscillating said turners to alternately dispose-said slot in inclined and vertical positions, a series of spindles arranged in alinement with the openings in said turners, means for pro jecting said spindles into the turners, revolving the spindles therein, projecting the spindles through and beneath the turners, reversing the spindles and then Withdrawing the spindles from the turners.

10. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a plurality of turners provided with longitudinally extending slots, means for feeding strips of paper or the like into said slots, means for oscillating said turners to dispose the strips of paper on edge, and means for bringing the upper edges of said strips into a common horizontal plane.

, 11. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a series of turners, each adapted to receive a strip of paper or the like, means'for feeding strips longitudinally into said turners, means for oscillating the turners to dispose the strips on edge, and gravity actuated means disposed above said turners for positioning the strips in said turners.

12. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a plurality of tubular turners, each adapted to receive a strip of paper or the like and each equipped with a pinion, a rack bar engaged with said pinions for simultaneously oscillating the turners, means for positioning strips of paper or the like in said turners, a series of slotted spindles, and means for operating said spindles whereby the strips of paper are curled into cylindrical form and discharged from said turners.

13. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a plurality of paper strip-holding devices, means for positioning strips of paper on edge therein, a plurality of slotted spindles mounted above said devices, board holding means positioned beneath said devices and adapted to hold a board provided With perforations in position to dispose said perforations in alinement with the spindles, and means for first moving said spindles endwise to straddle the strips, then rotating them to curl the strips, and then additionally moving them endwise whereby to deposit said curled strips in the apertures of said board.

14. In a machine of the character described. the combination of a plurality of board-filling spindles, a uideway beneath said spindles, a board-ho ding frame movable on said guideway, means for insuring the proper position of a perforated board on said frame, and means for insuring the alinement of the perforations in said board with said spindles.

15. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a guideway. a board-clamping and holding device movably mounted on said guideway. means for insuring the proper positioning of a perforated board on said device, means for preventing operation of the machine unless the first row of perforations in said board are in proper position, a plurality of board-filling spindles adapted to deposit strips of paper in the perforations of said board, and means for feeding said board forward a predetermined distance after each operation of the spindles.

16. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a guideway, a frame slidably mounted thereon, a toggle clamp carried by said frame, means for operating said clamp to lock a board in position on the frame. a bar carried by the main frame of the machine whereby the position of the clamp-supporting frame is determined, and means carried by said bar for determining the position of the board on the frame before the board is clamped thereto.

17. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a slidable frame, clamping means carried thereby, and a bar pivoted to the main frame of the machine whereby the proper position of a board to be filled on said slidable frame may be determined. 18. In a machine of the character de scribed, the combination of a slidable frame, a pair of clamping members carried thereby, means for moving said members equal.

amounts on said frame whereby to clamp a board in centered position on said frame, and means whereby the proper longitudinal position of said board on the frame may be determined.

19. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a plurality of spindles, a slidable frame, board-clamping means carried thereby, means for holding said frame in one of its extreme positions during the positioning of the board thereon, and means carried by said frame adapted to prevent operation of the machine unless said frame is properly positioned in its other extreme position.

20. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a slidable frame,

- means for clamping a board thereon in predetermined position, means for intermittently operating upon said board, means for feeding said board through the machine a predetermined distance after each operation, means for preventing retrograde movements of the board between successive feeding operations, a signalin device, and means for operating said device after the board has traveled a predetermined distance.

21. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a frame movable longitudinally of the machine and adapted to carry a board to be filled, means for feeding said frame longitudinally of the machine by a step-by-step movement, means for giving a signal when the frame has traveled a predetermined distance, and mechanism for releasing said feeding means to per mit the frame to be reset.

22. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a longitudinally movable board-carrying frame, pawl and ratchet mechanism for feeding said frame by a step-by-step movement, a friction device for preventing retrograde movement of said frame, a pivotall mounted arm normally supported by a board on said frame, means controlled by the position of said arm for giving a signal when the board travels out from beneath said arm, and mechanism for releasing the frame-feeding means and the friction device to permit resetting of the frame.

nism for intermittently feeding the board forward, means for operating on said board between each successive feeding operation, and a device carried by the frame for preventing the initial operation of the machine until the board has been properly positioned.

24. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a board-carrying frame, a rotatable power wheel, mechanism actuated from said wheel for operating on said board, and means carried by the frame adapted to engage with said wheel and prevent the initial operation of the machine unless the frame is properly positioned for the initial operation.

25. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a grooved rotatable power wheel, a board-carrying frame movable longitudinally of the machine, means for operating on said board, and a. device carried by said frame and cooperating with said grooved wheel to insure the proper position of said frame prior to the initial operation of the machine.

26. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a vertically movable cross-head, a spindle-head carried thereby, a lever fulcrumed on the main frame of the machine and pivotally connected with said cross-head, a follower carried by one end of said lever, and a cam engaged with said follower for moving said spindle-head vertically.

27. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a vertically movable cross-hcad, a lever fulcrumed on the main frame of the machine and pivoted at one end to the cross-head, means for operating said lever to move the cross-head up and down, a spindle-head mounted on said cross-head, a series of spindles carried by said spindle-head, and means for intermittently rotating said spindles in predetermined timed relation with respect to the V movements of the spindle-head.

28. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a cross-head, a spindle-head carried thereby, means for reciprocating said cross-head in a vertical plane, a reciprocatory cutter, and connections between said cutter and said cross-head whereby the cutter is actuated in predetermined relation with the movements of the spindle-head.

29. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a spindle-head, a

series of spindles carried thereby, means for rotating said spindles, means for reciprocating said spindle-head in a vertical plane in predetermined relation with the rotating movements of the spindles, a cutter, an oscillatory shaft having eccentric connections with said cutter, and means for oscillating said shaft'in predetermined timed relation with the movements of the spindles.

30. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a reciprocatory cross-head, a spindle-head carried thereby, means for reciprocating the cross-head, a series of spindles carried by said spindlehead, a rack bar engaged with each of said spindles, means for actuating said rack bar to impart rotative movement to said spindles at predetermined intervals, a rock shaft, a cutter eccentrically connected with said shaft, and a fork-member fixed on said shaft and engaging said cross-head whereby the rock shaft is rocked to operate the cutter upon movement of the cross-head;

ALBERT J. BATES.

Witnesses:

S. N. Pom), IRA J. WILSON. 

